Wild Arabia9pm, BBC2

This splendid wildlife documentary spies on the flora and fauna of the Arabian peninsula. Not that there's much of the former: 90% of the region is desert, meaning that its creatures have two options: live a nomadic existence like the resilient Arabian oryx, perpetually wandering in search of the slightest sniff of rainfall, or operate nocturnally. Indeed, the best footage here is captured at night, from the slinkings of the bizarre horned viper to the evasive tactics of the lesser jerboa, a tiny rodent with kangaroo-like hind legs. Gwilym Mumford

Live Cycling: World Track Championships4.15pm, BBC2

Jonathan Edwards presents live action from day three of the 2013 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Belarus, taking in finals of the women's scratch 10km, men's 40km points race and men's keirin. With 2012 keirin gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy taking a short break and the British team including six world championship debutants, this could be an ideal opportunity to see some of the new faces set to feature in Team GB's Rio 2016 squad. Mark Jones

Wild Britain with Ray Mears 8pm, ITV

To the Scilly Isles, lying 28 miles off the Cornish coast. The remote islands are home to a range of exotic plants – such as the South African hottentot fig – as well as the extremely rare red-barbed ant, and lots of limpets. Poor little limpets. Having clung all their lives to a storm-lashed shoreline, they are then scooped up by Mr Mears and turned into a risotto for lunch. Elsewhere, we learn about the migrating birds that use the islands as a stopping-off point, and there's a nocturnal encounter with a hedgehog. Ali Catterall

Piers Morgan's Life Stories: Esther Rantzen9pm, ITV

Esther Rantzen takes her seat opposite the smug inquisitor in the final of the Smirking World Cup. So, Esther, you had an affair with Desmond Wilcox. (Accusatory smirk.) Yes, which led to more than 20 years of ecstatic marriage. (Self-satisfied smirk with teeth glint.) Point to Rantzen. She talks about That's Life!, ChildLine and, of course, how no one realised what a beast Jimmy Savile was – even though, now she thinks about it, she did try to tell everyone he was evil, actually. Unbearable. Julia Raeside

The Mentalist9pm, Channel 5

Patrick Jane is not the only psychic detective on telly, but he's the one who works a waistcoat and a bitter backstory to the fullest advantage. Talking of which, he is still reeling from his brush with serial killer Red John when he is sent to investigate the death of a botanist who is found hanging from a climbing wall. It's a real blood-and-guts job, and it turns out the victim was involved in the production of medicinal marijuana. Elsewhere, Cho's shocked when his erstwhile love interest Summer pops up heavily pregnant. Hannah Verdier

Stella9pm, Sky1

Stella's helping out at the undertakers while Paula takes some time off to commune with the divine spirit, but her first funeral doesn't go to plan. Luke is unwisely seeing Zoe behind her maniac boyfriend's back and Dai isn't missing Paula half as much as she thinks he is. There's a bit of a scene at a Got To Dance audition, allowing Ashley Banjo to make another creaky cameo (Sky1 are masters of cross-promotion), while even Paul Kaye tones it down a bit this week in his one scene as the zany Dutch therapist. Nice. JR

Live World Club Challenge7.30pm, Sky Sports 1

Leeds Rhinos and Melbourne Storm meet at Headingley for the annual clash between the champions of the planet's two foremost rugby league competitions, Europe's Super League and Australia's NRL. The fixture has become something of a residency for Leeds, who have featured in four of the last five. Melbourne will be seeking redemption: after beating Leeds in their last appearance in 2010, the Storm were stripped of the world title after flouting salary cap rules. Andrew Mueller

• This article was amended on 22 February 2013 because the original said Esther Rantzen had an affair with Desmond Morris. This has been corrected to say Desmond Wilcox.